The Grow Your Own Teacher Graduation Pathway is designed for students who feel called to serve their community through a career in education. This pathway provides a clear, affordable, and supportive route for future teachers to earn college credit, gain classroom experience, and build strong connections within Neosho School District, beginning while they are still in high school.
Students in this pathway will complete a combination of dual credit and dual enrollment courses through Crowder College, with two degree options depending on career goals:
- Associate of Arts in Elementary Education — completed during high school
- 61 hours of content and education coursework — for students pursuing secondary or special education
Entry into Grow Your Own Teacher requires an application and acceptance into the program to ensure students are prepared for the academic rigor and long-term commitment associated with becoming a licensed educator.
Pathway Outcomes and Benefits
- Earn Your Associate’s Degree or Foundational Coursework in High School:
Students pursuing elementary education will graduate from high school with an Associate of Arts in Elementary Education from Crowder College.
Students pursuing secondary or special education will complete 61 credit hours aligned to both education foundations and their chosen content area. - Low-Cost to No-Cost Opportunities:
Students completing the elementary education associate’s degree incur no additional cost for tuition or textbooks while in high school.
Students in secondary education pathways may have minimal costs depending on content-area course availability and structure. - Seamless Transfer Through MSSU’s 2+2 Agreement:
Elementary education graduates automatically enter the Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) 2+2 program, allowing them to complete their bachelor’s degree on MSSU’s campus or online.
These students are also eligible for MSSU transfer scholarships, further reducing the cost of completing their degree. - Immediate Employment Opportunities:
Students who earn their associate’s degree in the Grow Your Own Teacher Pathway are eligible for immediate employment as paraprofessionals at Neosho School District while completing their bachelor’s degree remotely through MSSU. This provides valuable classroom experience and income while continuing their education. - A Hiring Incentive for Returning Wildcats:
Students who return to Neosho School District as certified teachers after completing their bachelor’s degree and who participated in Grow Your Own during high school are eligible for a $5,000 signing bonus after three years of full-time classroom service. - A Pathway Built for Community Impact:
Students gain real-world experience working with teachers, supporting younger learners, and practicing leadership skills essential for classroom success. The pathway helps ensure that future educators understand and value the needs of the Neosho community.
Students who complete the Grow Your Own Teacher Graduation Pathway leave high school with significant progress toward a teaching degree, valuable hands-on experience, and a direct route to employment and long-term career success within Neosho School District.